River Repose

The peace and serenity of a float on the river Ken at dawn or at sunset is unsurpassed—“a Zen experience”. The tranquil paddle down this “river garden” is also rewarding for the birdwatcher as kingfishers, storks, ducks and even an eagle owl are all part of the landscape.

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We need to re-learn a respect for nature and to recognise that our life is in her hands, as much as her health and vitality is in ours. Joanna Van Gruisen

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Country Walks

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Longtailed Shrike

Golden Oriole

Golden Oriole

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Open Billed Storks

Rosefinch

Common Rose Finch

Pied Kingfisher

Pied Kingfisher

Golden Backed Woodpecker

Black-Rumped Flameback

Purple Sunbird

Purple Sunbird

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Bronze-Winged Jacana

Asian Openbill

Asian Openbill

Plain Prinia

Plain Prinia

Our grassland, forest and riverine habitats attract a great variety of birds. Stroll around the property, along the river-side or walk down hedge-lined paths through agricultural fields to nearby Toria village. Birders will be delighted by the diversity wherever they go.

* Complimentary Activity

Farmers with buffalo

Spinning man and kids

Guests walking along path

Toria village

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Explore the surrounding rural countryside by foot or on bicycles and experience a side of India a tourist rarely sees. Interact with our neighbours, visit a local school, share in the rituals at a local temple, watch bricks being made or just enjoy the view of small shrines, village ponds and the rural farming life of the local community.

* Complimentary Activity

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Wildlife tourism can strengthen the local economies and create employment opportunities. Raghu S Chundawat

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Salad
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Cooking

Food Odyssey

The Sarai takes pride in the quality of its cooking. Fresh home–made dishes originating from Raghu and Joanna’s favourite recipes: dishes with the delicate spices of Indian cuisine interspersed with garden salads and continental fare. By popular demand we now organize cooking demonstrations on request.

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Joanna

Organic farming is far from being a luxury that low-income countries cannot afford; it is rather the way the world has to go. Joanna Van Gruisen

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Sculptures
Sculptures
Temple

Khajuraho Temples

The Unesco World Heritage site of Khajuraho comprises many fabulously carved sandstone temples that are over a thousand years old and are considered to be some of the best preserved antiquities in India. While famous for the sensuous art depicted, they are also fascinating for the display of everyday life: potters, farmers, musicians and women grooming themselves.

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Our idea is to make tourism tiger friendly and valuable for local communities.Raghu S Chundawat

Panna Jungle Safari

Panna Tiger Reserve is a little known gem. It is one of India’s most dramatically scenic parks and is an excellent place to see a variety of central India’s wildlife. Especially good for raptors, it is an excellent destination for birders but its grasslands and dry forest also reveal a number of ungulates and small carnivores and can provide wonderful sightings of a leopard or tiger.

Joanna

We must stop believing we are all-powerful and can contain nature’s extremes, and recognise that it would be to our benefit to understand and adapt ourselves to such powerful forces. Joanna Van Gruisen

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Yoga

Other Activities Yoga

The Sarai at Toria grounds provide some wonderful, peaceful and natural areas to enjoy yoga sessions. Each room has a yoga mat and we have an excellent yoga master living locally who can come on request for one individual or a group.

Other Activities Ajaygarh

The Fort lies up several hundred steps on a steep outcrop overlooking the small rural town of Ajaygarh. There, midst thinning teak forest, lie exciting temples and other ruins, as old and as well-carved as those at Khajuraho. These incredible archaeological remains are little visited and are all the more thrilling for this. This is a full day excursion that we organise with an al fresco lunch served on the plateau.

Kalinjar Fort

Other Activities Kalinjar Fort

Kalinjar Fort is a fortress city believed to be the oldest in India. It rises 1200 feet above the plains of Bundhelkhand but is accessible by road, which makes it a good alternative to Ajaygarh for those put off by climbing. Also very under visited. Exploration, once on top, is best by foot but the visitor may do as much or as little as is comfortable for them. Like Ajaygarh, we oganise this as a day trip with al fresco lunch.

Raneh

Other Activities Raneh Falls

These are magnificent waterfalls in the monsoon season and as the river flow lessens, the pinks and greys of the nearly 100 foot deep granite canyon are revealed—some rocks here are dated as being 2 billion years old. The falls are in the Ken Gharial sanctuary approximately 40–60 minutes drive from the Sarai at Toria.

Pandav Fall

Other Activities Pandav Falls

This waterfall with the remains of caves and shrines is in the Panna Tiger Reserve, a short drive from the Sarai at Toria. It can provide a pleasant afternoon walk.